Reply to: If the market picks up sometime

[minestrone]

So are you suggesting the banks actually colluded to reduce contract rates?

That is a big allegation. Do you have any evidence, or is it just pure speculation?

I know for a fact that they did it, and no, I do not have any evidence, I do not tend to tape my conversations.

[swamp]

When the banks get together and decide to drop all contractors rates by 15% and we all have the "it's a free market" attitude then rates will always be on a downwards trend.

So are you suggesting the banks actually colluded to reduce contract rates?

That is a big allegation. Do you have any evidence, or is it just pure speculation?

[Scary]

I doubt mitch will be out for long, one of the most clued up contractors on here and always has something to say.

Mind you he is a tester

Yeah, who wants to hire a tester? All they produce is bugs.

[Pondlife]

When the banks get together and decide to drop all contractors rates by 15% and we all have the "it's a free market" attitude then rates will always be on a downwards trend.

Surely this has already happened.

The irony is that it's IT folk that developed the technology to make this possible.

[minestrone]

Its not called a free market for nothing!

When the banks get together and decide to drop all contractors rates by 15% and we all have the "it's a free market" attitude then rates will always be on a downwards trend.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Its not called a free market for nothing!

Well its not a 'free' market is it?

Bob's agency advertises a role for tulipe - nobody applies as rate is too low to live on.

Bob's agency then gets Bob in on ICT at said rate on the basis that no local people could be found, Bob arrives with expenses paid and his local salary from home.

Where's the 'free market'??

[Spacecadet]

So you are OK with thousands of Bobs pimping themselves for buttons?

Its not called a free market for nothing!

[minestrone]

I also don't agree with the guff about "inexperienced contractors selling their skills under". If any contractor wants to work for £200 per day (say) to feed their family then good on them.

So you are OK with thousands of Bobs pimping themselves for buttons?

[swamp]

Live by the sword, die by the sword.

I admire clients that cut rates -- so long as it's done in a respectable manner -- and I think all contractors should welcome such activity because it means that clients accept we are a market-driven resource and we can potentially enjoy splendid rates in an upturn.

I also don't agree with the guff about "inexperienced contractors selling their skills under". If any contractor wants to work for £200 per day (say) to feed their family then good on them.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Anyhow, seems like they may want me to establish their US operation now. If and when this happens I've decided a 23% increase is warranted. Otherwise I stick to my plan of holidaying until April in the Far East .

only 23%? why not 25%, or 50% or 100%?

[TinTrump]

I had a v. good relationship with my previous client in the UK. So much that prior to moving abroad I said I'd go in for a day or 2 and fix any glitches discovered in live system gratis. As it happened, wasn't necessary.

Current employer in middle east totally different. They wouldn't take me on a contract basis and insisted I sign on perm to develop their IT infrastucture, here and abroad, only to terminate me after I've delivered the project 10 months later. I won't even go into how they treat Indians here.

Anyhow, seems like they may want me to establish their US operation now. If and when this happens I've decided a 23% increase is warranted. Otherwise I stick to my plan of holidaying until April in the Far East .

[suityou01]

I have a rate, if I get it then I will do the work. If they cut my rate, I will stay and work less, take longer lunch breaks etc while looking for another contract.

Classy. All the best.

[Diestl]

I have a rate, if I get it then I will do the work. If they cut my rate, I will stay and work less, take longer lunch breaks etc while looking for another contract.

[suityou01]

I doubt mitch will be out for long, one of the most clued up contractors on here and always has something to say.

Mind you he is a tester

WHS

[minestrone]

I doubt mitch will be out for long, one of the most clued up contractors on here and always has something to say.

Mind you he is a tester